Passing pedestrians had been attracted by the struggling men, but not one of them offered to interfere. Now, however, arose the cry:
“Here comes a Bridge cop!”
“Good!” said Merry, with satisfaction. “I’ll turn this gentleman over to him.”
Immediately ceasing his attack on Frank, the fellow made a twisting wrench and broke away. But when he turned to run toward the end of the Bridge he saw a uniformed officer coming toward him on the jump. Then he whirled back, but Frank Merriwell blocked his path.
In sudden desperation, determined not to be captured, the man leaped upon the parapet and prepared to spring down to the track along which the trolley-cars passed below.
Several who witnessed this desperate act also saw a car coming right at hand, and shouted for him not to jump, thinking he would fall directly before it.
Frank sprang forward, to clutch the man’s long coat, but, with a cry of defiance that sounded almost maniacal the fellow leaped. He struck fairly on the top of the passing car, which carried him away, crouching there and shaking his fist at Frank.
“A madman beyond a doubt!” Frank exclaimed.
The fellow had escaped, for the officer would not do anything until he had questioned Frank and learned the meaning of what had happened. By that time it was too late.
When Merry finally resumed his walk over the Bridge his mind was in a state of wonderment. He was much dissatisfied with himself for permitting the man to escape, but he had fancied the fellow fairly penned between himself and the officer, never anticipating the desperate expedient to which the stranger resorted.